Pre-College Faculty

Jen Barrows

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Photography, Video, PerformanceRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Fashion and Lifestyle Photography, The Physical Photographic Print, Digital Photography, Color II, Video I and IIEducation and Applicable Degrees: MFA in Studio Art from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in conjunction with Tufts UniversityFun Facts: I have a nerdy affinity for a well-printed photograph and I throw great theme parties.Teaching Philosophy: I strive to maintain cooperative and creative environments where students can learn the necessary technical skills to succeed in their craft. Classroom content is as diverse in its scope as possible, so that students can engage and work with themes and issues that are personally important.

Donna-Marie Cecere

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:Fashion, Design, Textiles, Merchandizing Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:From Idea to Market, Decades of Fashion + Beauty, Fine Embellishment Techniques Education and Applicable Degrees: Currently working on PhD at Southern New Hampshire University.Fun Facts:I have been a part of or helped produce over 50 fashion shows.Teaching Philosophy:Everyone has a special talent to celebrate

Michael Donnor

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: PhotographyRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught:Traditional BW Photography; Digital PhotographyEducation and Applicable Degrees: BA Photography 2006: MFA Photography expected 2014Fun Facts: For 3 years I found myself living alone in a cabin in the woods. With no tv, internet, or telephone, I set out to find the only thing that would bring me solace, my personal vision for the world. Everyday I worked developing my vision, my aesthetic, and my philosophy for photography. Ultimately this was not just a quest for a philosophy of photography, it became my vision quest that was to define my life.Teaching Philosophy: The Camera is an extension of your mind, master it and there is no limit of your mind's eye.

Rachel Eisenberg

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Art Therapy, Art Education, Ceramics, Early Childhood Art EducationArea of Work and Concentration: Summer College Courses for High School StudentsRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Introduction to Art Therapy, Introduction to Art EducationEducation and Applicable Degrees: BA in Art Therapy, MEd. Visual Art TeachingFun Facts: Rachel is currently a full time elementary school art teacher at The Swampscott Clarke Elementary School

Markus Haala

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: PrintmakingRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught:Art & Ecology YAR/CCHS, Summer Program - 2012, 2013, 2014 Introduction to Basic Printmaking YAR/CCHS, Summer Program - 2012, 2013, 2014 Design, Market & Promote Your Ideas YAR/CCHS, Summer Program - 2014 Animal Anatomy BA Illustration Department - Fall Semester 2014/15Education and Applicable Degrees: Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam, The Netherlands - 2011, BFA Fine Arts - Printmaking; Lesley University College of Art and Design (formerly The Art Institute of Boston), USA - 2009 BFA Fine Arts (Abroad Term) - Printmaking, Painting; University of Bonn, Germany - 2007; Art History, Archaeology, Modern History; Heinrich Hertz Vocational High School, Bonn, Germany - 2004, Associate of Arts (AA), Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia;Fun Facts: I run Merrimack Valley's only print shop, located in Lowell MA, where I collaborate and work with artists from all kind of media. The work we produce ranges from classical printmaking to applied design solutions and custom made laser engravings/cutsTeaching Philosophy:I prefer problem based learning. Basic principles are very important, especially in printmaking. However, I support if students make use of those basics to experiment in a medium. It is one of the best ways to gain experience and knowledge. My students are trained to to use workshop, tools and techniques in a professional way to obtain their best creative results.

Kevin Hughes

Area of Work and Concentration: Jewelry and Metalsmithing Representative List of Recent Courses Taught: Jewelry and MetalsmithingEducation and Applicable Degrees:BFA Tyler School of Art, MFA Rhode Island School of DesignTeaching Philosophy:Growth is an important principle upon which I teach. As an educator, I hope to provide many things to my students, but ultimately I hope they grow. The advancements my students make will take form aesthetically, technically and conceptually. Students will begin with a foundation of design and planning. Using learnt skills and critical thinking students translate their designs into tangible art. It is also during this time that students learn to verbalize the intent behind their work. These, along with other advancements, will prepare students for their future as artists and individuals.

Meredith Kasabian

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: English, Writing, Sign PaintingRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Advance English Composition, Freshmen Writing Seminar, and The Historical Aspects of Sign Painting and Gold Leaf.Education and Applicable Degrees: BA English, MA EnglishFun Facts: Josh and Meredith own Boston's Best Dressed Signs, an all by hand sign painting company that specializes in hand painted signs and murals, custom lettering and design, and gold leaf. Best Dressed Signs is responsible for the brightly colored "There's Never an Off Season" sign in the Fenway, among other notable signs throughout the city. They also founded the Pre-Vinylite Society, a loose network of sign enthusiasts and advocates for an improved urban aesthetic.

Josh Luke

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Visual Arts, Sign Painting, DesignRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Sign Painting, Gold Leaf, The Art of Lettering: Sign PaintingEducation and Applicable Degrees: AA Visual Art, BA Visual ArtFun Facts: Josh and Meredith own Boston's Best Dressed Signs, an all by hand sign painting company that specializes in hand painted signs and murals, custom lettering and design, and gold leaf. Best Dressed Signs is responsible for the brightly colored "There's Never an Off Season" sign in the Fenway, among other notable signs throughout the city.They also founded the Pre-Vinylite Society, a loose network of sign enthusiasts and advocates for an improved urban aesthetic.

Tommy Matthews

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: 19th century alternative photographic processes, silver gelatin darkroom printing, combination of drawing and printmaking with photographsRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Darkroom Processes, Printing Techniques, Matting/Framing and Camera Operations in the Field, Principles of Photography.Education and Applicable Degrees: MFA from Lesley University College of Art and DesignFun Facts: I lived in Yosemite National Park and served as a staff photographer at the Ansel Adams Gallery. I led camera walks and taught photo classes to visitors from around the world.Teaching Philosophy: I believe each person can see the world in a distinct way, and it is my responsibility to lend my knowledge and experience to students in the hope that they can learn how to use photography as a tool of personal expression and perspective.

Jennifer Moller

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Digital ArtsRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught:Computer Art, Video Production, Digital NarrativesEducation and Applicable Degrees: MFA, Maine College of Art, 2003 Fun Facts: Building a mobile art studio this summer with Beth Ireland Co-founder of Turning Around AmericaTeaching Philosophy: To build knowledge in ones' hands and minds by the making a many projects repeating the same skill sets.

Derek Palmer

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Lifestyle and Editorial Photography, Studio Lighting, Nikon/Canon Equipment Representative List of Recent Courses Taught: Introduction to Black and White Photography, Color Techniques, Digital Photography Education and Applicable Degrees: BFA in Photography,Lesley University College of Art and DesignFun Facts:I started teaching Photography during my JR year at Lesley. My first classes were with a program working with inner city adolescent convicts being released back into society. I would teach photography as a form of art therapy for the kids to express themselves while transiting in this program. My second class was working with troubled youth at a local high school, once again using photography as art therapy. From there I established myself at Lesley teaching pre-college classes. I live in Jamaica Plain with my dog Kid and cat Mishka.Teaching Philosophy: To help bring knowledge and experience in an art form that is shaping the world we live in to a younger generation. The formality and intimacy of creating a photograph is being lost due to the ongoing use of phones and social media. My goal is to help students learn and experience the tradition of photography. Both creating a hand made print and learning to visually construct and develop a conceptually and technically well put together photo. Also, understanding that not only is photography a career option and life opportunity but is a wonderful way of self expression.
In May I will be working with MIT students at the Gavin Foundation for an alternative spring break that consists of the students working with a non-profit and the local community of Southie. The kids will be using photography to tell their story over the course of 7 days and the work they will be doing with the community. My event company, Hat Trick Photography, recently became the official photographers for the Lenny Zakim Fund.

Kate Sheridan

Kate Sheridan is an artist-naturalist working in a range of media. She was selected as a voyager for the Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage through Mystic Seaport, attended the 2013 Arctic Circle residency in Svalbard, received the 2011 Excellence in 3D Fine Art from Lesley University College of Art and Design, and has shown work around Massachusetts and internationally. She received her BFA in Illustration and Fine Art from LUCAD and she has taught in the LUCAD precollege program for 4 years, as well as teaching other workshops. Website: www.frozenduskstudio.com

Bryan Smith

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Intaglio, Monotype, and Relief Printmaking, Foundation and Figure Drawing/Painting, Fine Arts Representative List of Recent Courses Taught: Monotype Printmaking, Anatomy and Figure Drawing, Dynamic Drawing; Muscles, Bones, and People, and Portfolio Preparation for Fine ArtistsEducation and Applicable Degrees: AIB and Lesley University, BFA in Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Minors in Art History and Psychology. Lesley University MA candidate in Clinical Mental Health CounselingFun Facts: Bryan has work in permanent collections of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Boston Public Library, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Bryan has also shown work internationally in France, Netherlands, England, Taiwan and Canada, and is active members of The Boston Printmakers and The Monotype Guild of New England organizations. Bryan is currently a candidate for a master's degree in counseling psychology at Lesley University where is a graduate level teaching and research assistant.Teaching Philosophy: When I was a beginning art student, Nathan Goldstein once told me to "forget what you think you know. Draw what you see." With his words in mind as I teach, my approach challenges students to reject their preconceived ideas about making art and encourages them to work in the present moment by focusing on the piece in front of them and nothing else. I believe that students need to be most concerned with how the work develops, not how "good" or "bad" it looks. This way of working forces decision making that are best for that particular image, instead of trying to make the piece reach a predetermined end. I also hope to create a safe atmosphere in which I can challenge students to contemplate the similarity between creating a work of art and the way he or she may go through daily life, specifically comparing their process of problem solving visually to a real life difficult situation.

James Soper

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: 2-d and 3-d Animation, Character DevelopmentRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught: Animation Festival, Introduction to 2-D Digital Character Animation, Introduction to 3-D Digital Character AnimationEducation and Applicable Degrees: BFA, The Art Institute Of Boston at Lesley UniversityFun Facts:I am currently working for Hero4Hire Creative as a character designer on a pilot they are producing for Nickelodeon.

Brandon Strathmann

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Storyboarding, Character Design Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Animation, Illustration

Fun Facts: During college I sold turkey legs at Disney World in character; I can draw with both hands; I stop at every pet shop I can to draw the animals from life; I carry a sketchbook with me everywhere I go; I have been to 43 of the states in America, thanks to my 8 cross-country trips.

James Swart

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Illustration, Drawing, and Painting Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
Foundation in Drawing and Design , Anatomy and Figure drawing, PaintingEducation and Applicable Degrees:
BFA - Lesley University College of Art and Design, Private study with Instructors Fun Facts:
I am an avid student of nature and all things I can capture with a pencil or brush. I also feel that which does not kill us, makes us more open to life. Teaching Philosophy:
Greatness is the reward of hard work and deliberate practice not a magical gene in your DNA. If sought and worked for skill will appear and a personal voice will emerge. Like a sword in a forge we are constantly shedding impurities in the pursuit of greater facility and a clearer creative vision.

Jack Turnbull

Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise: Graphic Novel, IllustrationRepresentative List of Recent Courses Taught:Comics and the Graphic NovelEducation and Applicable Degrees:Bachelor of Fine Art, Illustration; Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Providence, RI; European Honors Program (RISD), Rome, Italy; Fun Facts:Currently I am gearing up to attend the Heroes Convention in Charlotte North Carolina, the third largest comic book convention, in order to further promote my own comics such as Space Burger and Hole in the Sky.

Teaching Philosophy:My art training focused primarily on drafting, illustration and painting, but my passion has always been graphic novels. While I am competent working digitally and can mentor students interested in an introduction to working digitally, the class is primarily taught "analog"; focusing on the graphic design tools used to produce graphic novels hand made before computers became the norm. Lesson plans are adapted from exercises designed by golden age cartoonists like Wally Wood and Will Eisner, such as Wally Wood's "22 Panels that always work" or Will Eisner's "Advanced Story Structure in Graphic Narration". The goal at the end of 1 month is the student will walk off having produced 5-10 pages of absolutely fantastic sequential art in full color. My job is to instill a confidence balanced with the teachings of time management to help the student achieve this ambitious goal.

Nubia Williams

Nubia Williams is a Parsons the New School for Design graduate with a BFA in Fashion Design. Being the daughter of a visual artist and an academic, she grew up surrounded by colorful, textured, inspiring images and histories that had her experimenting with different media as soon as she could control a paint brush. Nubia is a colorist with an aesthetic that features architecture and cultural diversity. Trained in various art fields such as visual arts, dance, theater, and music, her design inspiration comes from multiple sources. Traveling to numerous countries around the world exposed her to diverse cultures, which enriched her artistic perspective and influenced her color palette, printmaking, and fabric treatments. Industry professionals, instructors, and classmates who reviewed her thesis collection all assessed Nubia's work as being very distinctive.

Nubia has worked collaboratively with other artists and designers since the age of 8, showing her artwork at the Pan African Film Festival and African Marketplace in Los Angeles. While in high school, she designed and modeled for the American Heart Association's "Go Red" fashion shows, raising awareness for women's heart health. Nubia has also worked on a community service project intended to ignite the creative spark in low-income, inner-city youth in New Haven, Connecticut. Serving as the Fashion Illustration Instructor, Entertainment Director, and Teen Volunteer Coordinator for the Dixwell Children's Art Festival, she helped youth from the community discover career paths through the arts. She is currently teaching young aspiring fashion designers while designing for clientele.